Joe Sands

 

I had a great time during my sixteen years at KNXT(1960-76) meeting and working with all you guys and gals in Public Affairs, Programming, News and Technical Operations.  It was WWIII at times, but memories of the battles have faded, and only the best parts are remembered.  Here are mine--mostly about the guys I worked for.

 

My first morning on the job at 1313 Vine on October 1, 1960, I found a card on my desk and opened it to find it said, “Welcome To The Race.”  Inside was a rat at the starting line, and it was signed, ‘Irwin.’  Rosten, or course, and he, along with Dan Gingold, were the two resident cynics in the Public Affairs Department, who had been with the station since it was W6XAO to hear them tell it. Mike Kizziah was the boss of Public Affairs and a real great guy.  Bob Wood was the GM and another great guy, as many of you remember.

 

After producing and writing dozens of forgettable shows and series in public affairs, Leon Drew, Program Director, made me Production Manager, so I got to work with more of you.  I couple of years later he made me Executive Producer.  Remember in those olden days Leon was really the power behind News and Programming.  It was he who brought Jerry Dunphy to KNXT as he had worked as an anchor for Leon when he was in charge of the first and last CBS UHF station in Milwaukee just before he was named PD at KNXT.

 

Ray Biendorf was GM after Bob Wood went to become Pres, CBS Network.  After Leon left to become GM of WBBM-TV, Chicago, Ray promoted me to Program Director.  What a classy guy!  When Ray and I flew to NY for CBS management meetings he upgraded us to first class--a CBS no-no.  Before we were off the ground, Ray pulled out his briefcase and said let’s get to work.  I thought this a bit odd, but did.  Shortly, the stewardess came by and told us to put our brief cases under the seat and our tray tables up.  On takeoff, Ray white-knuckled the seat handles and had his eyes closed.  When we reached altitude he open his briefcase again, and the first thing he pulls out is his will.  He asked me to witness it which did.  Then he taps the man in the seat in front of meet to witness it.  The man turned around and gave him one of his famous looks that only comedian Shelly Berman could, as it was he.  He witnessed Ray’s will too.  I then  wondered what Ray was going to do with it?  Throw it out the window?

 

One year while Ray was still GM there was a airline strike which meant our annual KNXT-State Legislators Banquet in Sacramento that Bob Simmons had setup was in jeopardy.  But Ray to the rescue.  He rented a Lear Jet for Jerry, Bill Keene, Gil Stratton, me and others, to fly to Sacramento.  Naturally, Ray, would not fly with us.  John Lear Jr. was the pilot.  The banquet was a success and all had plenty to drink.  On the way back on the jet the bar was open, and I remember Jerry, Gil and Bill had more drinks, and then got into a heck of an argument flying all the way back as to who was the greater hero in WWII.   I was a Korean War vet, but kept my mouth shut. How they drove home safely is a mystery, but they were there next day for THE BIG NEWS as if nothing had happened!